People of low-income in Nigerian towns/cities rely on the informal sector for survival because the
sector provides ample opportunities to support their livelihood. W hether analysts are considering specific
aspects of the urban informal sector in Nigeria or the role of that sector in general, it is important to understand
how the sector develops and changes over time, and how it interacts w ith, and affects the environment. W e
already know in a general way the many problems associated with wastes generated from urban informal
economic activities; but, there are only few well documented case studies of environmental degradation
associated with informal sector activities. This study draws attention to some neglected aspects of informal
sector research, especially one which relates to the environment, an area which should be further investigated
by researchers undertaking field research on the informal sector in N igeria . By focusing on specific sub-sectors
of the informal sector, and how they affect the environment, we will be in a better position to formulate new
policies that will aid environmental management and sustainability in Nigerian towns.

Emmanuella C. Onyenechere, 2011. The Informal Sector and the Environment in Nigerian Towns: What we Know and What we Still Need to Know.
Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 3(1): 61-69.